Vanderbilt pitcher Donny Everett drowns in swimming accident

Vanderbilt pitcher Donny Everett drowned on Thursday night swimming across a lake, the team confirmed Friday.

Everett, 19, was fishing with teammates and friends at Normandy Lake in Tennessee. According to Sheriff reports obtained by The Tennessean, Everett made it halfway across the lake and was pulled underwater.

“We learned last night of the tragic death of Donny Everett, an outstanding young man who exemplified the best of our university,” athletic director David Williams wrote in a statement. “As you can imagine, the team, the athletic department and the university are trying to come to terms with this tragedy. His parents and loved ones are on our minds and in our prayers as we share in their grief.”

According to The Tennessean, coach Tim Corbin informed players on late Thursday night. The team will play Xavier on Friday in an NCAA regional on their home field on Friday night. The team visited Everett’s family in Clarksville, Tenn., on Friday morning.

Everett had just finished his freshman year at Vanderbilt, and was a projected early selection in the 2015 MLB draft and the 2015 Gatorade Tennessee player of the year. He instead opted to play for Vanderbilt.

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